National Premier Soccer League (Amateur – 6 teams)6 US-based NPSL clubs will enter the 2012 tournament in Round 1 (May 15). Five of them are based on 2011 league results, while the Fullerton Rangers entered based on a preseason qualifying tournament.

Southern California April 15: Zicuiran vs. Napoli*Zicuiran withdraws from the competition, Napoli advances to the Final

US Club Soccer Final April 22: Stanislaus United Turlock Express 5:2 Napoli [+] RecapStanislaus United advances to an US Open Cup play-in match vs. Bay Area Ambassadors on April 28

Josh Hakala

Broadcast journalist / sports play by play announcer that created TheCup.us (in 2003) and continues to run the site. Currently works as a producer/host at Michigan Radio, the state's top NPR station. An active member of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and the North American Soccer Reporters. Proud alum of Temple University and Lansing Community College. Read his work on TheCup.us HERE.

“This year, each team can apply to host each round and if both teams’ venues meet USSF’s standards, the federation will conduct a blind draw to determine the host. In the past, in addition to meeting USSF venue standards, teams would have to submit a financial bid, and the team that bid the most was awarded the home game. That process, a sometimes controversial method profiled in depth recently by TheCup.us, will remain in effect for just the Semifinals and the Final this year.”

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“It was not part of US Soccer’s announcement, but according to sources, the Third Round, Fourth Round and Quarterfinals will require a hosting fee of around $15,000. If both teams in a particular matchup are interested in hosting, they must meet USSF’s venue standards, and submit a check for the hosting fee. If both teams do that, then a blind draw will determine who hosts with the winner having their check deposited and the loser having their check sent back.”

so basically with a hosting fee of $15,000, that would eliminate PDL and lower teams from having funding to put up the $$$ providing any of those teams make it to the 3rd round. Most of the NASL/USL-Pro teams should have the $$$.

The $15K fee doesn’t kick in until the Third Round, when MLS joins the tournament. Meaning, if you reach the Third Round, you’re playing against an MLS team. It seems like a lot, but I’d be surprised if most amateur teams couldn’t drop $15K and still make a nice profit on an MLS team coming to their home stadium with a spot in the Fourth Round on the line.

This year’s version is finally closer to proper – that being, if you are a team, in the US, and want to be in it, you ARE in it. It only took 16 MLS seasons to come close…way too long. Other issues exist, JOB 1 was ev in the pool. After years of ambivalence, I’ll again pay some attention to qualifiers and Rounds 1 and 2. JOB 2 is centralized and extensive video highlights of every USOC game, BTW.